Cause of Endometriosis

The cause of endometriosis is unknown or known with little certainty.
One theory is that during menstruation, some of the menstrual endometrial tissue goes back into the abdomen through the fallopian tubes, where it implants and grows. Another theory suggests that endometriosis may be a hereditary disease.
Researchers are also looking at the involvement of the immune system and how it stimulates or reacts to endometriosis. It may be that a woman's immune system does not adequately eliminate menstrual flow in the pelvic cavity, or chemicals produced in areas affected by endometriosis irritate or promote tumor growth in more areas.
There is evidence that women with this disease are more likely than other women to suffer immune system disorders in which the body attacks its own tissues (autoimmune diseases) and that women with endometriosis are also more likely to suffer fatigue syndrome chronic fibromyalgia syndrome.
It is also very likely that these women suffer from asthma, allergies and a skin disorder called eczema. It is thought that further study of the immune system in endometriosis, could reveal important information to find the causes of this disease and its treatment.
Other researchers are looking into endometriosis as a disease of the endocrine system, since it seems that estrogens promote the growth of the disease. Other research looking into whether environmental agents, such as exposure to chemicals manufactured by humans, cause the disease. More research is trying to understand what other factors, if any, affect the course of the disease.
Another important area of research is the search for endometriosis markers. These markers are substances in the body created by the disease or in response to it, and may be isolated in blood or urine. If markers are found through a blood or urine test, then it would be possible to make a diagnosis of endometriosis without surgery.

Pain Management

Some women with mild symptoms may not need further treatment than pain medications or analgesics. For women with minimal endometriosis who wish to become pregnant, depending on the woman's age and the amount of pain from the disease, it is best to maintain a testing season (from 6 months to a year) having unprotected sex. If a woman does not become pregnant during that season, then you may need further treatment.

Hormone Treatment

For patients who do not wish to become pregnant, but who need treatment for their disease, we may suggest hormone treatment. Hormone therapy is most effective when tumors are small. Hormones can come in the form of pills, injections or nasal spray. There are several hormones used for this treatment, including a combination of estrogen and progesterone, like birth control pills, progesterone alone, Danocrine (a weak male hormone) agonists and gonadotropin-releasing hormone.
Birth control pills control the growth of the lining of the uterus and often decrease the amount of menstrual flow. These often contain two hormones, a progestin and an estrogen. Once the woman stops taking them, their ability to get pregnant returns, but symptoms of endometriosis may also return. Some women take birth control pills continuously, without using the sugar pills or placebo, which tell the body it is time to menstruate. When taking birth control pills in this manner, periods may stop completely, which can reduce pain or eliminate it completely. Some birth control pills contain only progestin, a hormone similar to progesterone. Women who can not take estrogen use these pills to reduce menstrual flow. With these pills, some women may not experience pain for several years after stopping treatment. All birth control pills may cause some mild side effects like weight gain, bleeding between periods and inflammation.
Danocrine has become the most common treatment choice, even pills or progestin combination hormone. Side effects of Danocrine include oily skin, appearance of pimples or acne, weight gain, muscle cramps, tiredness, smaller breasts, breast tenderness, headache, dizziness, weakness, flushing or a deeper voice. Women who consume Danocrine will probably only have periods once in a while, or maybe just disappear completely. Women who take Danocrine must avoid pregnancy, as this can injure the developing fetus in the uterus. Use of other hormones, like birth control pills is recommended, use of condoms, a diaphragm or other "barrier" methods to prevent pregnancy.
GnRH agonists (used daily nasal spray or injection applied as monthly or quarterly) prevent the body from making certain hormones to prevent menstruation. Without menstruation, the growth of endometriosis is reduced or halted. These medications can cause side effects such as hot flashes, fatigue, insomnia, headache, depression, osteoporosis and vaginal dryness. It is recommended that women continue with the administration of GnRH agonists for about six months. After those six months, the body will start having periods again and the woman could get pregnant. But after that time, about half of women experience a return of symptoms of endometriosis.

Surgical Diagnosis and Treatment

Usually, surgery is the best option for women with extensive endometriosis, or suffering great pain. There are major and minor surgeries that can help. The gynecologist may suggest one of the following surgical therapies.